Volunteer Opportunities

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Volunteer at PADS

PADS' 1,000 volunteers help nurture the basic well-being of our guests and encourage their work toward self-sufficiency goals, in both the emergency shelter and our Maywood Support Center. Volunteers also help with fundraising and special events, contribute professional expertise (e.g. design, photography, legal and medical counsel) and lend a diversity of talents and perspectives to our Board of Directors and Friends of PADS Advisory Committee.

Volunteer Orientations:

Monday, February 13th, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

and

Wednesday, February 29th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

at the Berwyn Public Library

2701 S. Harlem Ave., 2nd-floor Community Room

We have several volunteer openings in our emergency shelter. Additional information about "second shift" and "third shift" responsibilities is provided below. If you are interested, please contact our Shelter Manager Emily Aker at shelter@westsuburbanpads.org or call 708-338-1724 ext. 228.

Volunteer Opportunities (as of 2.2.12)

4th Monday evening - 1st shift team
at First United Church of Oak Park

2nd Sunday (Monday morning) – 3rd shift team
at Euclid United Methodist Church Oak Park

2nd Thursday (Friday morning) – 3rd shift
2 volunteers for First United Methodist Church

2nd Friday (Saturday morning) - 3rd shift
at Unity Lutheran Church of Berwyn (6720 W. 31st St., Berwyn)

3rd Thursday (Friday morning) – 3rd shift
1 volunteer for First United Methodist Church

 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

FIRST SHIFT: 6:30 PM TO 10:30 PM

  • Prepare site: check supplies - personal care items; necessary forms.
  • Set up pads in sleeping room.
  • Make bed rolls: 2 sheets, pillow case, blanket.
  • Sign-in guests. Write down guests who require an early wake up. Register new guests.
  • Assist dinner team in serving and cleaning up the meal as needed.
  • Interact with guests, help them get settled.
  • Monitor restrooms and clean-up for bed time.
  • Ensure breakfast has arrived.Set up breakfast and cleaning supplies for morning shift.
  • Lights out at 10:00 PM.
  • Complete paperwork, particularly the shift log, volunteer sign in and incident report, if applicable.
  • Communicate with second shift personnel who relieve first shift volunteers.

SECOND SHIFT: 10:30 PM TO 5:00 AM

(2 VOLUNTEERS or Shelter Relief Staff)

  • Monitor rest rooms.
  • Register late-arriving guests,
  • Reheat dinners/prepare sandwiches for late arrivals.
  • Handle any situations that may arise (health, medical, etc.)
  • Prepare coffee for breakfast shift.
  • Wake up guests who request early wake up calls.
  • Site security is most important: we recommend walks through building and sleeping areas every 20 minutes.
  • Complete shift log providing a brief summary of shift situation, even if very quiet all night. Communicate with third shift personnel who relieve second shift volunteers.

THIRD SHIFT: 5:00 AM TO 7:30 AM

(SITE CAPTAIN + 5 VOLUNTEERS)

  • Wake up all guests at 5:30 AM
  • Monitor use of restrooms.
  • Oversee guest clean-up, disinfecting and putting away pads, pillows, blankets.
  • Oversee guest disposal of dirty linens for laundry crew.
  • Set up and serve simple breakfast at 6:00 AM
  • Return guest ID cards and provide sack lunches as guests leave.
  • Check building to ensure all guests have exited by 6:45 AM
  • Remove garbage, discard in dumpster. Dispose of expired milk, juice, bread, etc.
  • Clean sleeping room, bathrooms and kitchen.
  • Do site check for cleanliness and order.
  • Check area outside for trash

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